Aroche: Castle, Turobriga and Protected Nature

The historic centre of Aroche offers a first glimpse into the history of the town: it was declared a Conjunto Histórico and placed under protection in 1980.

When staying in a holiday apartment in Aroche, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies in the listing details. Different priorities can be taken into account when planning your trip.

Culture and History

Aroche Castle was built in the 12th century during the Almohad period as the qasaba of the Andalusian settlement. Under Spanish heritage protection law, it is protected as a B.I.C. monument. Its perimeter is approximately 1,200 metres; the complex includes three gates and forward bastions for the deployment of artillery.

The Priory Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción was built in 1483 on the orders of the Catholic Monarchs. The Ermita de San Mamés is a Gothic-Mudéjar building of the resettlement architecture from the mid-13th century. It was extended in the 14th century and contains late-medieval murals from the 15th century.

The Ermita del Cristo de la Humildad y la Paciencia is a 17th-century chapel in the vernacular style. It was built beside the former Santa Clara gate of the town wall.

The Puente de Felipe II was built in 1577 on the orders of Philip II and is considered a well-preserved example of the water engineering of that period.

Archaeology and Museums

Arucci Turobriga was founded during the reign of Augustus towards the end of the 1st century BC, approximately between 15 and 10 BC. Turóbriga is the only archaeological site of this kind in the province of Huelva that can be visited.

The Archaeological Museum in Aroche was founded in 1958; most of its pieces come from the Hispano-Roman city of Turobriga.

The La Cilla Museum in Aroche houses more than 2,000 rosary pieces from around the world. It also displays archaeological materials from prehistoric times and from the Roman, Islamic, Christian-medieval and modern periods. The museum also houses one of the most important collections of Roman epigraphy in the province of Huelva.

The Aroche tourist office offers guided tours of the castle, church and museums of the town.

Further places to choose from: Alájar, Cumbres Mayores, Las Delgadas, El Granado, Valdelarco, Puerto Moral, San Juan Del Puerto and Los Marines.

Nature

Aroche is one of the municipalities in the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park. Las Peñas is one of the two natural areas within the municipality of Aroche.

The Sierra Pelada y Rivera del Aserrador area also includes Aroche and is protected as a natural area, ZEPA and ZEC. The banks of the Chanza and the Alcalaboza run through the municipality of Aroche and eventually flow into the Guadiana.

Peñas de Aroche is a protected mid-mountain area with holm oak and cork oak forests. Well-preserved rockrose stands there are important for the breeding of Egyptian vultures.

Festivals and Events

The Festival de Diana combines guided tours of Arucci Turobriga with costumed historical scenes depicting everyday life in Roman times.

Aroche's bullring is located on the former parade ground inside the Islamic castle. It is still in use; in August, bullfighting events and other cultural performances take place there as part of the Feria de Aroche.

During the Noche de las Velas, the fortress of Aroche and other locations in the town are illuminated with candles. The programme includes historical re-enactments and music.

The Romería de San Mamés takes place at the Llanos de la Belleza site at the end of May and lasts two days.

The Festival Flamenco takes place at La Cilla or in the Torre de San Ginés in Aroche.

Routes Around Aroche

Restored sections of Aroche's town wall are accessible and provide access to the battlement walk.

The PR-A 1 Cortegana–El Hurón–Aroche hiking trail reaches Aroche and was officially approved and signposted in 1994. It can be travelled on foot or by bicycle.

The Ruta de la Reconquista passes through the castles of Aroche and Aracena.

To the main travel overview: Huelva.